Device, System, and Method for Advertising Device Capability

ABSTRACT

A device and method for transmitting user equipment capability information to a network. In a first mechanism, the device and method transmits carrier aggregation (CA) combinations supported by the user equipment in a priority order to the network. The priority order may be determined based on most recent camped bands and the neighbor bands of the most recent camped bands. In a second mechanism, the device and method transmits indicators corresponding to types of gapless measurements, where when an indicator is set to the user equipment being incapable of performing the type of gapless measurement, the capability message does not include individual indications for the bands for that type of measurement.

PRIORITY INFORMATION/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application62/384,467 entitled “Device, System, and Method for Advertising DeviceCapability,” filed on Sep. 7, 2016, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A user equipment (UE) may be configured with a variety of differentcapabilities. For example, the UE may be capable of establishing aconnection with a wireless network. Specifically, the UE may connect toa Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. While connected to the LTE network,the UE may utilize further network capabilities. For example, the UE mayutilize a carrier aggregation (CA) functionality in which a primarycomponent carrier (PCC) and at least one secondary component carrier(SCC) are used to communicate data over the various LTE bands. Toutilize the CA functionality, the UE is required by LTE standards toadvertise the combinations of PCC and SCCs that are supported by the UE.However, with an increasing number of LTE bands and a limited number ofcombinations that are allowed to be advertised, the advertising processis inefficient, particularly as a double CA arrangement (1 PCC and 1SCC) must first be advertised prior to any triple CA arrangement (1 PCCand 2 SCCs), although the triple CA arrangement may be preferable.

Furthermore, the capabilities of the UE may be requested by the LTEnetwork. However, the uplink (UL) grant size for the UE to transmit thecapability information has limited space. This capability informationmay include the CA advertisements included above and measurementinformation for the various LTE bands. These measurements may beprovided so that the LTE network may be aware of the optimal CAarrangement available for use by the UE. However, other capabilityinformation may also be included in the UL grant. For example, gaplessmeasurement capability information may be provided. The gaplessmeasurement capability encompasses the available bands over LTE bands,different radio access technology (RAT) bands, and the CA combinations.Thus, the gapless measurement capability information may occupy asignificant portion of the limited space of the UL grant indicating thecapabilities of the UE.

If the UL grant is too small for all the UE capability information to beprovided, this may lead to various failures and unsatisfactory userexperiences such as network timeouts and attach failures.

SUMMARY

A method performed by a user equipment. The method includes determininga number of available spots to advertise carrier aggregation (CA)combinations to a network, determining a priority order for a pluralityof bands that are part of the CA combinations, determining a list of theCA combinations based on the priority order and transmitting a portionof the list of the CA combinations in the priority order to the network,wherein the portion corresponds to the number of available spots.

A user equipment having a transceiver configured to connect the userequipment to a network, the user equipment and the network configuredfor a carrier aggregation (CA) functionality. The user equipment alsohaving a processor determining a number of available spots to advertiseCA combinations to the network, the processor determining a priorityorder for a plurality of Long Term Evolution (LTE) bands that are partof the CA combinations, the processor determining a list of the CAcombinations based on the priority order, wherein the transceivertransmits a portion of the list of the CA combinations in the priorityorder to the network, wherein the portion corresponds to the number ofavailable spots.

An integrated circuit having circuitry to determine a number ofavailable spots to advertise carrier aggregation (CA) combinations to anetwork, circuitry to determine a priority order for a plurality ofbands that are part of the CA combinations, circuitry to determine alist of the CA combinations based on the priority order and circuitry todetermine a portion of the list of the CA combinations in the priorityorder that is to be transmitted to the network, wherein the portioncorresponds to the number of available spots.

A further method performed by a user equipment that includes atransceiver configured to communicate with a network. The methodincludes determining whether the transceiver is configured to performpredetermined types of gapless measurements, setting a correspondingindicator for each type of gapless measurement based on whether thetransceiver is capable of performing the type of gapless measurement, inresponse to a network request for a capability of the user equipment,transmitting a message to the network including the correspondingindicators and in response to a subsequent network request for thecapability of the user equipment, transmitting a further message to thenetwork that omits the corresponding indicators for the types of gaplessmeasurements that the transceiver is incapable of performing.

A user equipment having a transceiver configured to configured tocommunicate with a network. The user equipment also having a processordetermining whether the transceiver is configured to performpredetermined types of gapless measurements and setting a correspondingindicator for each type of gapless measurement based on whether thetransceiver is capable of performing the type of gapless measurement.The transceiver, in response to a network request for a capability ofthe user equipment, transmits a message to the network including thecorresponding indicators and in response to a subsequent network requestfor the capability of the user equipment, transmits a further message tothe network that omits the corresponding indicators for the types ofgapless measurements that the transceiver is incapable of performing.

An integrated circuit having circuitry to determine whether atransceiver is configured to perform predetermined types of gaplessmeasurements, circuitry to set a corresponding indicator for each typeof gapless measurement based on whether the transceiver is capable ofperforming the type of gapless measurement, circuitry to generate amessage in response to a network request for a capability of a userequipment, the message including the corresponding indicators andcircuitry to generate a further message in response to a subsequentnetwork request for the capability of the user equipment, the furthermessage omitting the corresponding indicators for the types of gaplessmeasurements that the transceiver is incapable of performing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system where a user equipment modifies advertisement ofnetwork capabilities according to various exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 2 shows an example of carrier aggregation.

FIG. 3 shows a method for advertising a carrier aggregationfunctionality according to various exemplary embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 4 shows a table listing prioritized carrier aggregationcombinations for advertisement according to the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a method for generating indicators associated with agapless measurement according to various exemplary embodiments describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference tothe following description and the related appended drawings, whereinlike elements are provided with the same reference numerals. Theexemplary embodiments are related to a device, system, and method foradvertising device capabilities of a user equipment (UE) to a network towhich the UE is connected. Specifically, the network may be a Long TermEvolution (LTE) network and the network capabilities that are beingadvertised may relate generally to the UE capabilities and also morespecifically to a carrier aggregation (CA) capability where the CAfunctionality may include a primary serving cell (PCell) and at leastone secondary serving cell (SCell). The exemplary embodiments provide afirst mechanism for the UE that has the CA functionality enabled with anetwork to advertise selected CA combinations that will efficientlyindicate the CA capability to the network. The exemplary embodimentsprovide a second mechanism for the UE to transmit an initial indicationof UE capabilities that allows subsequent capability information to betransmitted in an efficient manner.

The UE may associate with a network component which serves as the PCell.With a LTE network, the network component may be an evolved Node B(eNB). The PCell may control the manner in which the data is exchangedwith the UE such as determining when uplink and downlink grants aregiven for the UE. The PCell may also control the mechanism used inexchanging data, particularly how data is transmitted to and received bythe UE. When the UE is CA capable, CA functionality enables the PCelland a further SCell to combine bandwidths to exchange data with the UE.The SCell may also be configured and activated by the eNB based onthroughput requirements. Thus, with CA, the PCell may provide a firstportion of a total bandwidth for data to be exchanged while the SCellmay provide a second portion of the total bandwidth. A PCell and asingle SCell may be termed a double CA combination (two carriers) andmay be utilized to provide the total available bandwidth. To furtherincrease the total available bandwidth for data to be exchanged with theUE, an additional SCell may be incorporated. A PCell and two SCells maybe termed a triple CA combination and may be utilized to provide thetotal available bandwidth. A PCell and three SCells may be termed aquadruple CA combination and may also be utilized to provide the totalavailable bandwidth. The exemplary embodiments are described with regardto double, triple and quadruple CA combinations. However, those skilledin the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments may bemodified for the PCell and any number of SCells to be used in the CAfunctionality.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the CA functionality iscontrolled by the eNB serving as the PCell for the UE. For example, upondetection that the UE is CA capable and a rate of transmission to the UEis under a maximum possible rate of transmission, the eNB may enable theCA functionality. The SCells may be selected and used for any dataexchange. In selecting the SCells, the UE may perform measurements ofthe LTE bands to determine a quality of the CA combinations. The LTESpecification Release 11 TS 36.331 (e.g., 3GPP TS 36.331 V.11.0.0 andlater) requires that the UE advertise all supported CA combinations.Thus, the UE may perform the measurements for all available CAcombinations and advertise the corresponding qualities. The LTESpecification also indicates that the UE is only allowed to advertise amaximum of 128 CA combinations. Thus, there is a 128 CA combinationlimit to the total number of CA combinations in an existing CA containerin which the UE may advertise. In current implementations, the UE mayfirst advertise all available double CA combinations. If all theavailable double CA combinations number less than the maximum limit, thetriple CA combinations may then be advertised and then the quadruple CAcombinations if there is any advertising space left. However, there maybe instances when the double CA combinations alone number more than 128.For example, depending on the provider, there may be 13 LTE bands thatare available. Accordingly, the double CA combinations may number up to169. Thus, the UE risks missing any advertising of the triple orquadruple CA combinations capability to the network even though thetriple or quadruple CA combinations are supported both by the UE and thePCell. In fact, the UE also risks missing any advertising on possiblyhigher quality double CA combinations capability.

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 where a UE modifies advertisement of networkcapabilities according to the various exemplary embodiments describedherein. The system 100 includes a UE 105 and a plurality of eNBs 130,135, 140. As discussed above, the UE 105 may associate with one of theeNBs 130-140 such as the eNB 130 to join the network corresponding tothe eNB 130 such as a LTE network. The UE 105 and the eNBs 130-140 mayalso include the CA functionality that may be enabled and controlled bythe eNB 130. As the UE 105 is associated with the eNB 130, the eNB 130may provide the CA configuration for component carriers to be used bythe UE 105 in which the eNB 130 may be the PCell and the eNBs 135, 140may serve as the SCells.

The UE 105 may be any electronic component configured to join a networkvia the eNB 130. For example, the UE 105 may be a portable device suchas a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, a laptop, awearable, etc. In another example, the UE 105 may be a stationary devicesuch as a desktop terminal. The UE 105 may also operate on a variety ofdifferent frequencies or channels (i.e., range of continuousfrequencies). Accordingly, the UE 105 may include components that enabledifferent radio access technologies. As shown in FIG. 1, the UE 105 mayinclude a processor 110, a memory arrangement 115, and a transceiver120. However, the UE 105 may also include further components such as adisplay device, an input/output (I/O) device, and other components suchas a portable power supply, an audio I/O device, etc.

The processor 110 may be configured to execute a plurality ofapplications of the UE 105. For example, the applications may include aweb browser when connected to a communication network via thetransceiver 120. Accordingly, data may be exchanged with the network.More specifically, the data may be exchanged using the CA functionalityto increase a rate in which the data is exchanged. In another example,the applications may include a CA advertising application 125 that isconfigured to determine how the CA combinations are advertised to thenetwork. As will be described in further detail below, the CAadvertising application 125 may initially determine the features of theLTE Specification supported by the PCell. The CA advertising application125 may subsequently define which of the CA combinations are to beadvertised when an advertising opportunity remains. In a furtherexample, the applications may include a gapless measurement (GM)application 127 that is configured to set indicators for different typesof GMs that the UE is currently configured to perform.

It should be noted that the above noted applications being anapplication (e.g., a program) executed by the processor 110 is onlyexemplary. The applications may also be represented as components of oneor more multifunctional programs, a separate incorporated component ofthe UE 105 or may be a modular component coupled to the UE 105, e.g., anintegrated circuit with or without firmware. In addition, in some UEs,the functionality described for the processor 110 is split among twoprocessors, a baseband processor and an applications processor. Theexemplary embodiments may be implemented in any of these or otherconfigurations of a UE.

The memory arrangement 115 may be a hardware component configured tostore data related to operations performed by the UE 105. Specifically,the memory arrangement 115 may store measurements or qualitiesassociated with different CA combinations.

Using the CA functionality, the eNB 130 may serve as the PCell while theeNBs 135, 140 may serve as at least one of the SCells. FIG. 2 shows anexample of carrier aggregation. As shown in FIG. 2, the PCell mayprovide a first component carrier of 10 MHz representing a primarycomponent carrier (PCC) operating on a first LTE band while the SCellmay provide a second component carrier of 10 MHz representing thesecondary component carrier (SCC) operating on a second LTE band. Alsoshown in FIG. 2 is one type of carrier aggregation. Specifically, FIG. 2shows the two component carriers in an intra-band carrier aggregationwith continuous component carriers. However, those skilled in the artwill understand that other types of carrier aggregation may also be usedsuch as intra-band carrier aggregation with non-continuous componentcarriers, inter-band carrier aggregation, or any combination of thesethree types. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand thatother bandwidths may be used such as 1.4, 3, 5, 15, or 20 MHz andtypically a maximum of five component carriers may be aggregated. Again,when only one SCell is utilized, a double CA combination arrangement maybe used whereas when two SCells are utilized, a triple CA combinationarrangement may be used. As illustrated in FIG. 2, two componentcarriers each having a bandwidth of 10 MHz may be combined for a totalbandwidth of 20 MHz. In a specific example, with carrier aggregationfeatures enabled, the LTE-Advanced standard device supporting 20 MHzcarrier aggregation may achieve downlink (“DL”) throughput of 100 Mbps(when the maximum of five component carriers are aggregated). In anotherexample, a theoretical maximum closer to 150 Mbps may be achieved suchas with only two 10+10 carriers aggregated.

It should be noted that the network shown in the system 100 is onlyexemplary. For example, the number of eNBs 130-140 that may be incommunicative range of the UE 105 may be more or fewer than three. Thoseskilled in the art will also understand that there may be any number ofother types of networks that may also be in communicative range of theUE 105 and that the UE 105 may also be configured to establishconnections therewith. That is, the UE 105 may also connect usingdifferent radio access technologies (RATs). For example, the system 100may further include a legacy radio access network (e.g., CDMA, GSM,etc.), a wireless local area network, a WiFi network, etc. If configuredfor such a capability, the CA functionality may even be used betweenother types of networks. However, for exemplary purposes, the CAfunctionality is described herein with regard to the LTE network and thecomponent carriers being provided by the eNBs 130-140. However, itshould be understood that the exemplary embodiments may be used inconjunction with any network that implements CA or an analogousfunctionality.

As described above, the advertising involved with CA combinations suchthat the CA functionality may be used is a limited operation. In thepresent example, only up to 128 different CA combinations may beadvertised to the network even when the total number of CA combinationswell exceeds this maximum limit. It should be noted that the LTESpecification Release 11 TS 36.331 also provides another feature whichsupports an additional 256 CA combinations on top of the alreadyexisting CA combinations. However, these additional 256 CA combinationsare only supported when the network to which the UE 105 is connectedsupports the noted feature. The feature may be a requested frequencyband (RFB) feature in which the network indicates a set of LTE bandsthat are to be prioritized in the CA combination advertisement by the UE105. More specifically, the set of LTE bands may be for the double CAcombination arrangements. Thus, the UE 105 prioritizes the double CAcombinations that include the requested LTE bands. However, when thenetwork does not support this RFB feature and the UE 105 is requested toadvertise the CA combinations, the UE 105 may advertise all theavailable double CA combinations that are supported with no priorityassigned to an ordering of the double CA combinations.

Given the manner in which CA combinations are advertised by the UE 105,the exemplary embodiments provide a first mechanism in which a UE basedsolution is provided in which the UE is capable of advertising the mostrelevant CA combinations within the 128 combination maximum limit. Infact, the first mechanism may override certain restrictions such asadvertising all double CA combinations prior to advertising any tripleCA combinations. Thus, the most relevant CA combinations may beadvertised using the first mechanism of the exemplary embodiments andmay include double CA combinations, triple CA combinations and quadrupleCA combinations, despite not all double CA combinations beingadvertised. In this manner, the CA advertising application 125 mayperform a set of operations to properly advertise CA combinations. Asthe first mechanism according to the exemplary embodiments is a UE basedsolution, the operations of the network may remain unchanged and thenetwork may continue to operate under defined parameters. Specifically,if configured properly, the network may still utilize the RFB featureand the first mechanism of the exemplary embodiments may accommodate theRFB feature to allow the UE 105 to respond appropriately to the RFBfeature when invoked by the network.

The CA advertising application 125 may initially determine whether thenetwork is utilizing the RFB feature. For example, the network mayrequest that the UE 105 advertise the CA combinations that the UE 105 iscapable of utilizing. Without the RFB feature, the UE 105 may select theCA combinations for advertisement. In this manner, without the RFBfeature, the UE 105 may advertise up to the maximum 128 CA combinations.Using the first mechanism of the exemplary embodiments, the UE 105 maycreate a list of LTE bands based on a priority order as determined bythe CA advertising application 125. In one exemplary embodiment, the UE105 may prioritize the CA combinations in the order of quadruple CAcombinations, triple CA combinations and then double CA combinations.This type of prioritization will prioritize higher throughputs for theUE based on the fact that using four carriers will generally result in ahigher throughput than three carriers or two carriers. However, othermanners of prioritizing the CA combinations may also be used. As thisoperation selects LTE bands by the UE 105, the LTE bands selected by theUE 105 will be referred to as UE RFBs.

The priority upon which the UE 105 orders the LTE bands may be furtherbased on a variety of factors. For example, the CA advertisingapplication 125 may prioritize a time parameter where a highest priorityis given to a LTE band that was most recently camped on by the UE 105.The CA advertising application 125 may then prioritize a neighborparameter where a next highest priority is given to neighbors of the LTEband that was most recently camped on by the UE 105. The neighborparameter may be based on the SIB-5 inter-frequency neighborinformation. The CA advertising application 125 may continue toprioritize the LTE bands using the time parameter again in which thenext highest priority is given to a second most recently camped LTEband. The CA advertising application 125 may then utilize the neighborparameter to prioritize the neighbors of the second most recently campedLTE band. In this manner, the CA advertising application 125 mayprioritize the LTE bands based on the time parameter and the neighborparameter. Furthermore, the CA advertising application 125 may alsoupdate the priority order based on knowledge of cellular carrierdeployment gathered by historical data harvesting. Again, based on theprovider, there may be up to 16 LTE bands. Thus, this list may becontinued until a maximum of 16 LTE bands is reached for the UE RFBs.

In an exemplary list that is created using the first mechanism of theexemplary embodiments, the first set of CA combinations to be advertisedmay be all quadruple CA combinations that have the highest priority LTEband in the UE RFBs as the PCC while the three SCCs may be any LTE bandin the UE RFBs (with priority to the higher priority LTE bands in the UERFBs). As noted above, the highest priority LTE band may be the mostrecently camped LTE band. The second set of CA combinations to beadvertised may be all triple CA combinations that have the highestpriority LTE band in the UE RFBs as the PCC while the other two SCCs maybe any LTE band in the UE RFBs. The third set of CA combinations to beadvertised may be all double CA combinations that include the highestpriority LTE band in the UE RFBs as the PCC while the SCC may be any LTEband in the UE RFBs. The fourth set of CA combinations may be all otherCA combinations that include the highest priority LTE band in the UERFBs as the PCC as the only requirement. That is, in the example of thefourth set of CA combinations, there is no condition that the SCCs arein the UE RFBs. It is noted that an example of the UE RFB selection andthe corresponding CA combinations will be provided below with regard toFIG. 4.

The exemplary list may continue such that the fifth set of CAcombinations to be advertised may be all quadruple CA combinations thathave the second highest priority LTE band in the UE RFBs as the PCCwhile the three SCCs may be any LTE band in the UE RFBs (with priorityto the higher priority LTE bands in the UE RFBs). As noted above, thesecond highest priority LTE band may be a neighbor of the most recentlycamped LTE band. The sixth set of CA combinations to be advertised maybe all triple CA combinations that have the second highest priority LTEband in the UE RFBs as the PCC while the other two SCCs may be any LTEband in the UE RFBs. The seventh set of CA combinations to be advertisedmay be all double CA combinations that include the second highestpriority LTE band in the UE RFBs as the PCC while the SCC may be any LTEband in the UE RFBs. The eighth set of CA combinations to be advertisedmay be all other CA combinations that include the second highestpriority LTE band in the UE RFBs as the PCC as the only requirement.

In this manner, the exemplary list may continue until 128 different CAcombinations are advertised to the network. Using this methodology, theUE 105 may be configured to advertise the most relevant CA combinationsfor use by the network. That is, less relevant CA combinations that havea low or near zero probability of being used may be eliminated frombeing advertised. Therefore, the probability that the more relevant CAcombinations being advertised increases significantly.

It is noted that the list of UE RFBs may be dependent on a variety offactors. For example, the list may be dynamic or different based on thecurrent factors experienced by the UE 105. Thus, the UE 105 may store aplurality of UE RFBs that may be utilized dependent on these factors.For example, the UE 105 may dynamically modify the UE RFBs if there isknowledge that a particular LTE band may be unavailable. Thus, the LTEband may be removed from the UE RFBs when creating the list of relevantCA combinations. In another example, the factor may be a location. Whenthe UE 105 is disposed at a first location, the UE 105 may utilize afirst list of UE RFBs. However, when the UE 105 is disposed at a secondlocation (e.g., a significant distance from the first location), the UE105 may utilize a second list of UE RFBs that is different from thefirst list of UE RFBs. In fact, the location may change while the UE 105is connected to the network. As the list of UE RFBs may change from thismovement (e.g., a new neighbor being added, an old neighbor beingdeleted, etc.), the UE 105 may set a flag such as in a tracking areaupdate. When the network initiates a tracking area update for the UE105, the flag may indicate that the UE 105 should update the CAcombinations to be advertised. Accordingly, the UE 105 may advertise theLTE bands prioritized in the new, updated, or different UE RFBs.

The above process of populating the relevant CA combinations using thefirst mechanism of the exemplary embodiments relates to when the networkdoes not impose any criteria and the UE 105 is allowed to fill all 128spots in the available CA combination list. However, the network mayinclude selected LTE bands in the request as part of the RFB featurenoted above as defined in the LTE Specification Release 11 TS 36.331. Aswill be used herein, the LTE bands selected by the network in the RFBfeature will be referred to as NW RFBs.

When the network is configured with the RFB feature and transmits the NWRFBs to the UE 105, the additional 256 CA combinations may also be used.As the network RFB feature may be an overriding feature, the UE 105 mayrespond to the advertisement request by first advertising the CAcombinations that satisfy the NW RFBs. For example, the UE 105 maydetermine all CA combinations that include the NW RFBs, i.e., the CAcombinations that are currently supported by the UE 105 and are alsoincluded in the list of NW RFBs received by the UE 105. After the listof supported CA combinations that correspond to the NW RFBs have beendetermined, the CA advertising application 125 may determine whetherthere are any remaining spots in the 128 available advertisement spotsfor the CA combinations. For example, the NW RFBs may only require that40 CA combinations be advertised. Thus, there may still be 88 availablespots to be used in advertising further CA combinations. Under thisscenario when at least one available spot is determined after using theNW RFBs, the first mechanism of the exemplary embodiments may again beutilized to fill the remaining available spots. Thus, a substantiallysimilar operation as described above may be used. It is noted that anyredundant CA combination from those associated with the NW RFBs may beomitted from the UE RFB analysis.

FIG. 3 shows a method 300 for advertising a carrier aggregationfunctionality according to the exemplary embodiments. The method 300 mayrelate to the first mechanism of the exemplary embodiments in which theUE 105 determines the CA combinations that are to be advertised based onpredetermined criteria. As discussed above, the advertising of CAcombinations may be initiated as a network operation. However, afterfollowing requests from the network, the UE 105 may select the CAcombinations to advertise if there is available space for advertisingafter the requests from the network. Thus, the method 300 is performedby the UE 105 and the method 300 will be described with regard to thesystem 100 of FIG. 1.

As noted above, an example of the first mechanism will also bedescribed. The example will be described within the context of themethod 300. The example is illustrated in FIG. 4 which shows a table 400listing prioritized carrier aggregation combinations for advertisementaccording to the exemplary embodiments. Initially, it may be assumedthat the UE 105 is in a particular area to which the table 400 may beutilized. As shown, a location 405 is indicated for the table 400 whichis to be used while the UE 105 is in the location 405. However, if theUE 105 is in a different location, a further table may be stored andutilized.

In 305, the UE 105 determines the features supported by the network towhich the UE 105 is connected. Although there may be any number offeatures that the network may or may not support, the method 300 isdescribed with regard to LTE Specification Release 11 features.Specifically, the LTE Specification Release 11 feature may be the RFBfeature in which NW RFBs are selected by the network in an advertisementrequest to the UE 105. Thus, in 310, the UE 105 determines whether theRFB feature is supported by the network. If the RFB feature is notsupported by the network, the UE 105 continues the method 300 to 315. In315, the UE 105 determines the available number of CA combinations thatmay be advertised. With no requirements from the network, the UE 105 maydetermine that the full 128 spots are available for advertisement of CAcombinations.

Returning to 310, if the RFB feature is supported, the UE 105 continuesthe method 300 to 320. In 320, the UE 105 receives the requested LTEbands from the network. That is, the NW RFBs are received from thenetwork. Based on the NW RFBs, in 325, the UE 105 generates theadvertisement corresponding to the CA combinations that include the NWRFBs. In 330, the UE 105 determines whether there is any remaining spaceavailable to advertise further CA combinations. As noted above, the UE105 may advertise up to 384 CA combinations (128 CA combinations and anadditional 256 combinations) when the RFB feature is supported by thenetwork (otherwise 128 CA combinations when the RFB feature is notsupported by the network). It should be noted that the number ofavailable advertising spots is only exemplary and is based on currentLTE standards, the number may change over time as the LTE standardsevolve and other types of networks may utilize other numbers ofadvertising spots. The exemplary embodiments are not limited to anyparticular number of advertising spots and may be implemented onnetworks having any number of advertising spots. If the CA combinationsusing the NW RFBs consumes the entirety of the available spots, the UE105 continues the method 300 to 340. In 345, the UE 105 transmits theadvertisement to the network which includes only the CA combinationsbased on the NW RFBs. However, if there is at least one spot availablefor a further CA combination, the UE 105 continues the method 300 to 315to determine the number of available spots.

In 335, the UE 105 determines a priority order for the types of CAcombinations. That is, the UE RFBs may be determined. For example, ahighest priority LTE band may be a most recently camped LTE band. Asecond highest priority LTE band may be a neighbor to the highestpriority LTE band. A third highest priority LTE band may be a next mostrecently camped LTE band. A fourth highest priority LTE band may be aneighbor to the next most recently camped LTE band. This priority listmay continue until all LTE bands are listed. In 340, the UE 105 maygenerate the advertisement for the CA combinations in which the UE RFBsmay be included after any NW RFB. In 345, the UE 105 transmits theadvertisement to the network.

In a specific example in which the UE RFBs are determined and the CAcombinations are also determined, the table 400 shows when the UE 105 isin the location 405 (e.g., Zone A) in which the UE RFBs are prioritizedwith an order 415 as LTE bands 7, 4, 12, 1, and 13. As described above,the order 415 may prioritize the LTE band having an earliest timingparameter, followed by the LTE band(s) that are identified as neighborsto the highest priority LTE band, followed by the LTE band having a nextearliest timing parameter, followed by the LTE band(s) that areidentified as neighbors to the next highest priority LTE band, andcontinue along this sequence. For example, the LTE band 7 may representa highest priority LTE band. Specifically, the LTE band 7 may be themost recent LTE band on which the UE 105 has camped. Thus, the LTE band7 may be the first UE RFB in the order 415. The LTE bands 4 and 12 mayrepresent neighbor LTE bands to the LTE band 7. Accordingly, the UE RFBsmay prioritize the LTE bands 4 and 12 as second and third in the order415. The LTE band 1 may be a next highest priority LTE band based on thetiming parameter. Thus, the LTE band 1 may be the fourth UE RFB in theorder 415. Finally, the LTE band 13 may be a neighbor LTE band to theLTE band 1. Accordingly, the LTE band 13 may be the fifth UE RFB in theorder 415.

For exemplary purposes, the table 400 may relate to when the providerutilizes 13 different LTE bands. However, those skilled in the art willunderstand that the provider may utilize any number of LTE bands. Thoseskilled in the art will understand the manner in which the exemplaryembodiments are to be modified to accommodate more or less different LTEbands that are available. It should also be noted that the use of atable to store the various CA combinations is only exemplary. The UE 105may store the CA combinations in any manner.

Based on the UE RFBs 410 having the order 415, the table 400 may bedetermined which illustrates the CA combination priority 420. The CAcombination priority 420 may be read from left to right and top tobottom as highest to lowest priority. The CA combination priority 420may be arranged such that a full set of CA combinations are listed for aselected PCC. As described above, the CA combinations may be prioritizedusing the first mechanism by initially selecting the highest priority UERFB as the PCC. Thus, the first selected PCC 425 is the LTE band 7.

Using the first selected PCC 425 as the LTE band 7, the table 400illustrates the full set of prioritized CA combinations. As describedabove, a first prioritized set of CA combinations 430 may be thequadruple CA combinations where the highest priority UE RFB is the PCCand any UE RFBs are used as the SCCs. For example, the CA combination ofLTE band 7 (PCC) and LTE bands 4, 12 and 1 (SCCs) may be the highestpriority CA quadruple combination, followed by LTE band 7 (PCC) with LTEbands 4, 12 and 13 (SCCs), LTE band 7 (PCC) with LTE bands 4, 1 and 13(SCCs), and LTE band 7 (PCC) with LTE bands 12, 1 and 13 (SCCs). Asecond prioritized set of CA combinations 435 may be the triple CAcombinations where the highest priority UE RFB is the PCC and any UERFBs are used as the SCCs. For example, the CA combination of LTE band 7(PCC) and LTE bands 4 and 12 (SCCs) may be the highest priority CAcombination in this set, followed by LTE band 7 (PCC) with LTE bands 4and 1 (SCCs), LTE band 7 (PCC) with LTE bands 4 and 13 (SCCs), etc. Athird prioritized set of CA combinations 440 may be the double CAcombinations where the highest priority UE RFB is the PCC and any UE RFBis used as the SCC. For example, the CA combination of LTE band 7 (PCC)and LTE band 4 (SCC) may be the highest priority CA combination,followed by LTE band 7 (PCC) with LTE band 12 (SCC), LTE band 7 (PCC)with LTE band 1 (SCC), and LTE band 7 (PCC) with LTE band 13 (SCC).

A fourth prioritized set of CA combinations 445 may be the quadruple CAcombinations where the highest priority UE RFB is the PCC and any otherLTE bands (non-UE RFB) are used as the SCCs. For example, the quadrupleCA combination of LTE band 7 (PCC) with combinations of LTE bands 2, 3,5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 (SCCs) may be listed herein. It should be notedthat due to space constraints in the figure, not all of the quadruple CAcombinations are listed in box 445. Those skilled in the art willunderstand the remaining possible quadruple CA combinations that are notspecifically listed. A fifth prioritized set of CA combinations 450 maybe the triple CA combinations where the highest priority UE RFB is thePCC and any other LTE bands (non-UE RFB) are used as the SCCs. Forexample, the triple CA combination of LTE band 7 (PCC) with combinationsof LTE bands 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 (SCCs) may be listed herein. Asixth prioritized set of CA combinations 455 may be the double CAcombinations where the highest priority UE RFB is the PCC and any otherLTE band (non-UE RFB) is used as the SCC. For example, the CAcombination of LTE band 7 with LTE bands 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11may be listed herein. In this manner, the CA combinations for the LTEband 7 may be listed.

The table 400 further illustrates more CA combinations based on theorder 415 of the UE RFB priority 410. As the CA combinations areprioritized using the first mechanism, the second selected PCC 460 isthe LTE band 4. Thus, the set of CA combinations 465 may list thequadruple CA combinations where the LTE band 4 is the PCC and the otherUE RFBs are the SCCs. The set of CA combinations 470 may list the tripleCA combinations where the LTE band 4 is the PCC and the other UE RFBsare the SCCs. The set of CA combinations 475 may list the double CAcombinations where the LTE band 4 is the PCC and one of the other UERFBs is the SCC. The set of combinations 480 may list the quadruple CAcombinations where the LTE band 4 is the PCC and the other LTE bands(non-UE RFBs) are the SCCs. The set of combinations 485 may list thetriple CA combinations where the LTE band 4 is the PCC and the other LTEbands are the SCCs. The set of combinations 490 may list the double CAcombinations where the LTE band 4 is the PCC and one of the other LTEbands (non-UE RFBs) is the SCC.

The table 400 may continue to be created where the next UE RFB in theorder 415 is selected to determine the CA combinations. Thus, the thirdselected PCC is the LTE band 12. The table 400 may list the CAcombinations for the LTE band 12 as the PCC in the same manner as wasdescribed above for the LTE bands 7 and 4. Similarly, the same processmay be repeated for the remaining UE RFB bands 1 and 13 to complete thetable 400.

It is also noted that the UE 105 that utilizes the table 400 may becapable of utilizing all of the LTE bands and CA combinations thereof.Thus, the above description for the different CA combinations lists eachpossible combination. However, those skilled in the art will understandthat the UE 105 may not be capable of supporting selected LTE bandsand/or selected CA combinations. For example, if the LTE bands 8, 9, and10 are not supported by the UE 105, the table 400 may have a differentset of CA combinations 445, 450, 455, 480, 485, 490, in which any CAcombination that includes any of the LTE bands 8, 9, and 10 are removed.In another example, the UE 105 may have been notified that a select LTEband (e.g., LTE band 4) may be unavailable for any number of reasons.Accordingly, the table 400 may be updated in which the set of CAcombinations 430, 435, 440, remove any CA combination that includes theLTE band 4 while the set of CA combinations 465-490 are entirely removedas the selected PCC 460 is the LTE band 4.

The exemplary embodiments utilizing the prioritization of the firstmechanism may be implemented for further conditions and scenarios. Asdescribed above, the first mechanism may be utilized generally foradvertising a capability of using LTE bands for the CA functionality.The advertising using the first mechanism of the exemplary embodimentsmay be further refined when certain network conditions or events havebeen detected. That is, the first mechanism of the exemplary embodimentsmay utilize a more selective manner of advertising the UE RFBs.

In a first example, when the UE 105 detects poor network conditions(e.g., the UE 105 is closer to an edge of the network, a relatively lowreceived signal strength indicator (RSSI) value as compared to athreshold is determined, etc.), the UE 105 may restrict theadvertisement of CA combinations to only those UE RFBs present in theorder 415. That is, the table 400 may be updated when the poor networkconditions are detected to remove the sets of CA combinations includingnon-UE RFBs such as the set of CA combinations 445, 450, 455, 480, 485,490. In this manner, the sets of CA combinations that include only UERFBs may be utilized.

In a second example, when the UE 105 detects that a registrationprocedure on a particular network is consistently failing, the UE 105may restrict the advertisement of CA combinations to only those UE RFBspresent in the order 415. For example, the registration procedure mayfail due to a relatively large size UE capability message (e.g.,inclusion of all CA combinations in the UE capability message mayincrease the size of the UE capability message). Thus, in asubstantially similar manner as the first example described above, thesets of CA combinations that include only UE RFBs may be utilized.

As noted above, the exemplary embodiments may provide a second mechanismrelated to performing measurements as requested by the network. Forexample, when the UE 105 indicates a CA capability, the network maytrack optimal LTE bands to utilize for the CA functionality. Todetermine the quality of the LTE bands for the UE 105, the UE 105 mayutilize the transceiver 120 to tune to the requested LTE band andperform measurements. The measurements may then be transmitted to thenetwork for consideration in the CA functionality.

Those skilled in the art will understand that there may be twoapproaches to performing the measurements: gap measurements and gaplessmeasurements (GM). In a gap measurement, the UE 105 may utilize thetransceiver 105 to tune away from a first LTE band, tune to a second LTEband requested by the network, perform the measurements on the secondLTE band, and then tune back to the first LTE band. However, this placesa gap in the connection using the first LTE band during the time thetransceiver 105 tunes to the second LTE band to perform themeasurements. Although the probability may be minimized, there still maybe lost opportunities to miss data being transmitted over the first LTEband during this gap time.

In a GM, the transceiver 120 of the UE 105 may be a multi-transceiver.That is, the transceiver 120 may be capable of tuning to a plurality ofLTE bands concurrently. Thus, the UE 105 may utilize a first portion ofthe transceiver 105 to tune to a first LTE band. The network may requestthat measurements be performed for a second LTE band. If available, asecond portion of the transceiver 105 may be used to tune to the secondLTE band while the first portion remains tuned to the first LTE band.The second portion may therefore be used to perform the measurements. Inthis manner, there is no gap in the connection using the first LTE bandand data transmitted during the time that the measurements are performedin the second LTE band may still be received over the first LTE band.However, those skilled in the art will understand that the use of GMsrequires more power as the transceiver 105 is being utilized in a morecomplex manner. Furthermore, even with the transceiver 120 being amulti-transceiver, the GM may still be unavailable. For example, the UE105 may be CA capable and the CA functionality may be utilized such thatthe first portion of the transceiver 120 is being used for a first LTEband (e.g., PCC) and the second portion of the transceiver 120 is beingused for a second LTE band (e.g., SCC). The network may request that ameasurement be made for a third LTE band. In such a scenario, the UE 105may be incapable of performing a GM as there may not be a spare portionof the transceiver 120 that can tune to the third LTE band withouttuning away from the first LTE band or the second LTE band.

The GM may be another capability of the UE 105 that is advertised to thenetwork. Under conventional operations, when requested, the UE 105transmits a data packet indicating the capabilities of the UE 105. Forexample, the data packet may be limited to various sizes, such asbetween 800 to 1,200 bytes, 1,000 to 1,500 bytes or up to 2,500 bytes.With the UE 105 being CA capable, a significant portion of the datapacket may be occupied with the CA combination advertisement that wasdescribed in detail above. A further capability that is included in thedata packet are the GM capabilities. Using the conventional operations,even when GMs cannot be performed, the data packet still includes GMsthat are not supported. For example, a zero value may be included for aparticular GM that is not supported.

Those skilled in the art will understand that there are a variety ofdifferent types of GMs. In a first example, the GM may be related tointer-frequency (IF) gapless measurements (IF GMs) for individual LTEbands. In a second example, the GMs may be related to inter-RAT (IR)gapless measurements (IR GMs) for individual LTE bands. In a thirdexample, the GMs may be related to IF GMs for each CA combination. In afourth example, the GMs may be related to IR GMs for each CAcombination.

With these multiple types of GMs, it is evident how the data packet forthe UE capability may also be occupied in a significant manner by the GMcapabilities. In a specific example, the data packet may be limited to1,184 bytes. In this example, there may be 13 total LTE bands that aresupported. There may also be 6 total UTRA bands that are supported, 6total lx bands that are supported, and 4 total GERAN bands that aresupported. Accordingly, there may be 16 total non-LTE bands that aresupported. There may also be 79 CA combinations that are supported bythe UE 105. Thus, in this example, the IF GMs for individual LTE bandsmay occupy 169 bits (13×13); the IR GMs for individual LTE bands mayoccupy 208 bits (13×16); the IF GMs for CA combinations may occupy 1,027bits (79×13); and the IR GMs for CA combinations may occupy 1,264 bits(79×16). Using the size of each GM and other information to be included,the GM portion to be included in the data packet may be 333.5 bytes.This occupies approximately 28% of the data packet size.

When the data packet for the UE capability information increases insize, particularly since all of the GMs are included in the data packetwhether or not the GMs are actually performed, various issues may arisefrom this large size. For example, a legacy eNB may be incapable ofhandling a data packet greater than 500 bytes which leads to the datapacket dropping and further leading to attach failures. In anotherexample, the network may not provide enough of an uplink grant to the UE105 to send the complete data packet which leads to network timeouts andfurther eventually leading to attach failures.

The exemplary embodiments provide a second mechanism in which apreliminary operation is performed prior to creating and transmittingthe data packet indicating the capability of the UE 105. The preliminaryoperation may introduce an indicator for a specific type of GM thatallows for the performance of the GM to be truly optional. If the optionis exercised not to perform the GMs for the specific type, thecorresponding GMs may be omitted from inclusion in the data packet,which results in a decrease of the overall size of the data packet.

As described above, the processor 110 of the UE 105 may execute a GMapplication 127 that is configured to set indicators for different typesof GMs that the UE is currently configured to perform. Again, examplesof the types of GMs may include the IF GMs for individual LTE bands, theIR GMs for individual LTE bands, the IF GMs for CA combinations, and theIR GMs for CA combinations. The GM application 127 may be configured todetermine whether the UE 105 is not capable of performing any of theseGMs. The GM application 127 may generate an indicator for each of thesetypes of GMs such that the GM application 127 may set the indicator ascapable or incapable of performing the corresponding GMs. In a specificimplementation, the indicator may be a Boolean signal. Thus, the networkmay receive the indicators and if any indicator indicates the UE 105 isnot capable of performing a particular type of GM, the network may beaware that a subsequent data packet of UE capability may omit theportion associated with the identified type of GM. Thus, only the GMswhose indicators indicate a positive capability will have GMs advertisedfrom the UE 105 to the network.

FIG. 5 shows a method 500 for generating indicators associated with agapless measurement according to the exemplary embodiments. The method500 may relate to the second mechanism of the exemplary embodiments inwhich the UE 105 sets indicators for the different types of gaplessmeasurements that are performed by the UE 105, where the indicatorsindicate whether the gapless measurement is capable of being performed.As discussed above, the use of the indicators may be a feature that issupported by the PCell and performed by the UE 105. Thus, the method 500is performed by the UE 105 and the method 500 will be described withregard to the system 100 of FIG. 1.

In 505, the UE 105 determines a capability of the transceiver 120.Specifically, in 510, the UE 105 determines whether the transceiver 120is a multi-transceiver. If the transceiver 120 is not amulti-transceiver, it may be assumed that a gapless measurement isincapable of ever being performed. Thus, in 515, the UE 105 may set allindicators for the different types of GMs as not capable of beingperformed (e.g., a value of 0). The UE 105 may continue the method 500to 585 in which the indicators are transmitted to the network. As alltypes of GMs are not performed, any subsequent data packets indicatingthe UE capability may omit all the data related to GMs.

If the transceiver 120 is a multi-transceiver, GMs may be possible. Forpurposes of describing the method 500, the transceiver 120 may beassumed to have a primary transceiver which is used for the PCell and atleast one secondary transceiver which is used for any SCell or GM. Thus,in 520, the status of the secondary transceiver is determined.

In 525, the UE 105 determines whether the secondary transceiver isavailable for IF GMs for individual LTE bands. If the UE 105 determinesthat the secondary transceiver is not available, in 530, the indicatorfor IF GMs for individual LTE bands may be set to not capable. If the UE105 determines that the secondary transceiver is available, in 535, theindicator for IF GMs for individual LTE bands may be set to capable.

In 540, the UE 105 determines whether the secondary transceiver isavailable for IR GMs for individual LTE bands. If the UE 105 determinesthat the secondary transceiver is not available, in 545, the indicatorfor IR GMs for individual LTE bands may be set to not capable. If the UE105 determines that the secondary transceiver is available, in 550, theindicator for IR GMs for individual LTE bands may be set to capable.

In 555, the UE 105 determines whether the secondary transceiver isavailable for IF GMs for CA combinations. If the UE 105 determines thatthe secondary transceiver is not available, in 560, the indicator for IFGMs for CA combinations may be set to not capable. If the UE 105determines that the secondary transceiver is available, in 565, theindicator for IF GMs for CA combinations may be set to capable.

In 570, the UE 105 determines whether the secondary transceiver isavailable for IR GMs for CA combinations. If the UE 105 determines thatthe secondary transceiver is not available, in 575, the indicator for IRGMs for CA combinations may be set to not capable. If the UE 105determines that the secondary transceiver is available, in 580, theindicator for IR GMs for CA combinations may be set to capable.

Subsequently, based on the different indicators determined for the IFGMs for individual LTE bands, the IR GMs for individual LTE bands, theIF GMs for CA combinations, and the IR GMs for CA combinations, in 585,the UE 105 transmits the indicators to the network. Thus, the UE 105 hasindicated to the network a capability to perform only the GMs for theidentified types whose indicator is labeled as capable for inclusion inthe subsequent data packets for the capability of the UE 105.

The exemplary embodiments provide a device, system, and method ofadvertising network capability of a UE. In a first mechanism, for a UEthat is CA capable, the CA combinations may be advertised such that theUE may select the CA combinations of highest relevance to the UE to beadvertised while lower relevance CA combinations may be advertised onlyif available in the limited advertisement space. In a second mechanism,a transceiver of the UE is determined to be capable of incapable ofperforming GMs of different types such that indicators of the capabilityare initially transmitted to the network to indicate whether a datapacket of UE capability is to include the GMs of the different types.

It should be noted that the above exemplary embodiments were generallydescribed with respect to the operation of an LTE network. However, itshould be noted that the exemplary embodiments may also be used withrespect to any networks that advertise or implement CA or GMs, includingnetworks that have yet to deployed such as 5G networks.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-describedexemplary embodiments may be implemented in any suitable software orhardware configuration or combination thereof. An exemplary hardwareplatform for implementing the exemplary embodiments may include, forexample, an Intel x86 based platform with compatible operating system, aMac platform and MAC OS, a mobile device having an operating system suchas iOS, Android, etc. In a further example, the exemplary embodiments ofthe above described method may be embodied as a program containing linesof code stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage mediumthat, when compiled, may be executed on a processor or microprocessor.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made in the present invention, without departingfrom the spirit or the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended thatthe present invention cover modifications and variations of thisinvention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: at a user equipment:determining a number of available spots to advertise carrier aggregation(CA) combinations to a network; determining a priority order for aplurality of bands that are part of the CA combinations; determining alist of the CA combinations based on the priority order; andtransmitting a portion of the list of the CA combinations in thepriority order to the network, wherein the portion corresponds to thenumber of available spots.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determiningthe priority order, comprises: determining a timing parameter for eachof the bands based on how recent the user equipment was camped on eachof the bands, wherein priority is given to the bands that have been mostrecently camped on.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining thepriority order, further comprises: determining a neighbor band for eachof the bands that have been determined to have priority based on thetiming parameter.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the CA combinationsinclude one of all bands available to the UE or only bands that havebeen determined to have priority based on the timing parameter and theneighbor bands.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining thepriority order is based on a number of component carriers used for theCA combinations.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the number ofcomponent carriers is one of four component carriers, three componentcarriers or two components carriers.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of bands are Long Term Evolution (LTE) bands.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the portion of the list is the entire listwhen a number of CA combinations is less than the number of availablespots.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a secondlist of CA combinations from the network; and adding the CA combinationson the second list to the list of CA combinations, wherein the CAcombinations on the second list have a highest priority.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the list is location dependent and the userequipment determines a further list of CA combinations based on the userequipment being disposed in a different location from a location wherethe list of CA combinations was determined.
 11. A user equipment,comprising: a transceiver configured to connect the user equipment to anetwork, the user equipment and the network configured for a carrieraggregation (CA) functionality; and a processor determining a number ofavailable spots to advertise CA combinations to the network, theprocessor determining a priority order for a plurality of Long TermEvolution (LTE) bands that are part of the CA combinations, theprocessor determining a list of the CA combinations based on thepriority order, wherein the transceiver transmits a portion of the listof the CA combinations in the priority order to the network, wherein theportion corresponds to the number of available spots.
 12. The userequipment of claim 11, wherein the processor determines the priorityorder by determining a timing parameter for each of the LTE bands basedon how recent the user equipment was camped on each of the LTE bands,wherein priority is given to the LTE bands that have been most recentlycamped on.
 13. The user equipment of claim 12, wherein the processorfurther determines the priority order by determining a neighbor LTE bandfor each of the LTE bands that have been determined to have prioritybased on the timing parameter.
 14. The user equipment of claim 13,wherein the CA combinations include one of all LTE bands available tothe UE or only LTE bands that have been determined to have prioritybased on the timing parameter and the neighbor bands.
 15. The userequipment of claim 13, wherein when the processor determines that theuser equipment is one of near an edge of the network, has a receivedsignal strength indicator (RSSI) value that is lower than a threshold orthat a registration procedure for the network has failed a number oftimes greater than a threshold, the processor includes only bands thathave been determined to have priority based on the timing parameter andthe neighbor bands in the list of CA combinations.
 16. The userequipment of claim 11, wherein the processor determines the priorityorder based on a number of component carriers used for the CAcombinations.
 17. The user equipment of claim 11, wherein the userequipment receives a second list of CA combinations from the network andthe processor adds the CA combinations on the second list to the list ofCA combinations, wherein the CA combinations on the second list have ahighest priority.
 18. A method, comprising: at a user equipmentincluding a transceiver configured to communicate with a network:determining whether the transceiver is configured to performpredetermined types of gapless measurements; setting a correspondingindicator for each type of gapless measurement based on whether thetransceiver is capable of performing the type of gapless measurement; inresponse to a network request for a capability of the user equipment,transmitting a message to the network including the correspondingindicators; and in response to a subsequent network request for thecapability of the user equipment, transmitting a further message to thenetwork that omits the corresponding indicators for the types of gaplessmeasurements that the transceiver is incapable of performing.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the message further includes, for each typeof gapless measurement indicated as capable by the correspondingindicator, a further indicator for each band on which the user equipmentis capable of communicating, the further indicator indicating whetherthe transceiver is capable of performing the type of gapless measurementon the band.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined typesof gapless measurements include one of an inter-frequency gaplessmeasurement, an inter-RAT gapless measurement, an inter-frequencygapless measurement for carrier aggregation combinations or an inter-RATgapless measurement for carrier aggregation combinations.